Retracting tether for cell phones, pagers and PDA's

This application claims the benefit of provisional application No. 60/311,526 to Salentine et al., which was filed on Aug. 10, 2001, and provisional application No. 60/388,462 to Salentine et al., which was filed on Jun. 13, 2002.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention is directed to devices for tethering gear and personal articles and more particularly for tethering personal communication devices such as cell phones, pagers and PDA's.

2. Description of the Related Art

Tethering devices have been developed that have extendable and retractable cables or lines (“cables”), with many of the cables being automatically retracted under the bias of an internal spring arrangement. Some of the applications for these tethers include ski ropes, surf board leashes, boat moorings and scuba equipment. [See U.S. Pat. No. 4,969,610 to Taylor et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,407,460 to Khudaverdian, U.S. Pat. No. 5,490,805 to Bredesen, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,697,572 to Salentine].

Retracting devices have also been developed for housing cables and cords such as those used for telephones, hose reels and cellular phone earpieces. [See U.S. Pat. No. 5,094,396 to Burke, U.S. Pat. No. 5,507,446 to Ditzig and U.S. Pat. No. 4,946,010 to DiBono]. Retracting devices have also been developed having a means for removing the tethered article from the tethering device such as in the case of keys, SCUBA gear and microphones.

Personal communication devices such as pagers and cell phones can be attached or mounted to a person using different devices. In the case of cell phones some of these mounting devices include leather cases with belt clips for attaching to a belt, or a plastic holster which attaches to a belt or purse. One of the more popular cell phone mounts includes a pivoting ball type mount, which is attached to the phone and clips into a belt clip that has a slot to mate with the ball.

One of the advantages of these holstering devices is that they allow for easy access and retrieval of a cell phone, pager or PDA (“personal device”). However, this advantage also results in one of their primary disadvantages. The ease of access typically prevents these mounting devices from properly securing the personal devices, which can result in their falling out under many circumstances, such as when getting in and out of a vehicle or when they are bumped. Furthermore, when the personal device is removed from these holstering devices there is no mechanism for preventing the phone from falling to the ground if jarred or dropped from the user's hand.

A wrist lanyard has been developed which helps prevent cell phones from falling to the ground when being used. The lanyard typically comprises a rope or string that is tied or otherwise attached to the cell phone and has a loop that is large enough for a user's hand to pass through. To secure the cell phone, the user must pass a hand through the loop when the cell phone is in the user's hand. When the cell phone is not in use, the lanyard can be tied to a belt loop. One disadvantage of this device is that when the phone is tied to a belt loop, untying the lanyard from the loop to use the phone can be awkward and inconvenient. It can also be awkward passing a hand through the loop every time the cell phone is used.

An alternate tethering device uses a spiral or coiled type lanyard, similar to the cord that is used between the receiver and telephone in older styled telephones. For cell phones the coiled lanyard can be attached to the user at one end and attached to the phone at the other. When the phone is in use, the length of the tether can be extended and when the phone is not in use its effective length is reduced. One disadvantage of this type of tether is that to make it long so it can be conveniently used with a cell phone, the tether becomes quite long and obtrusive when the cell phone is in the holstered position. The tether dangles when the phone is not in use, which can cause entanglement.

Existing retractable tethers are used for personal articles such as keys but do not provide a means for attaching to phones or pagers. Furthermore, they are bulky and do not efficiently and securely attach to the user in a way that would allow for the cell phone to be easily used. They also do not provide a means for working in conjunction with a cell phone's holster or mounting system.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a retracting tether and tethering system which is particularly adapted for use for securing personal devices, including but not limited to cell phones, pagers, PDAs, calculators, flashlights, etc. Personal devices are also referred to as personal articles or objects.

These personal devices have the common characteristic that they can be attached to a user in many locations such as a belt, belt loop or purse. They are often attached by a loop, leather case, or pivoting ball connector type mount or are simply placed in one of the user's pockets. They can easily be knocked to the ground from their mounting points or can be dropped to the ground when in use. The present invention provides a connection point between the user and the personal device that is designed to work with previously available device mounting mechanisms so that if a device is knocked from the mounting mechanism or dropped, it will not fall to the ground where it can be lost or damaged.

A tethering system according to the present invention includes a personal article mounted on a user's body. A retractable tether is included having a housing with a cable and spring within the housing. The cable is capable of extending from and retracting into the tether housing with the spring urging the cable to retract into the housing. The cable has a stop to prevent it from fully retracting into the housing. A mounting mechanism is included for mounting the tether to the user's body and a lanyard is connected between the cable stop and the personal article, with the spring providing sufficient tension to prevent the cable from extending from the housing under the weight of the personal article.

A retractable tether according to the present invention includes a tether housing and a cable within the tether housing. The housing has a hole from which the cable extends and retracts, said cable having a stop on the cable's end that extends from said housing hole. The stop is larger than the housing hole to prevent the cable from fully retracting into the housing. A spring is included within the tether housing which urges retraction of the cable into the housing. A lanyard is attached to the stop and a mounting mechanism is included on the tether housing.

The retractable tether can either have a fixed mounting mechanism so that the cable extends in one direction from the housing or it can have a rotating mounting mechanism that allows the cable to extent at different angles. The tether can also have a disconnect mechanism so that the attached device can be detached from the tether.

The new retractable tethering can be continuously attached to the device whether the personal device is holstered or in use. If the device is dropped or dislodged from the holster the retractable tether prevents the loss of and/or damage to the device. In one embodiment the new retractable tether is mounted to a belt, pants or purse next to the device and the device is in its holster. The tether cable is preferably pointed upward for convenient use, and do reduce wear and tear on the cable to increase its longevity.

The new retractable tether is streamlined and unobtrusive such that it does not interfere with regular activities. The attached device can be easily disconnected from the retracting tether without the removal of the retracting tether from its mount on a belt, pants or purse.

These and other further features and advantages of the invention will be apparent to those in skilled in the art from the following detailed description, taken together with the accompanying drawings, in which:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> is a perspective view of one embodiment of a retractable tether according to the present invention attached to a phone that is held in a holster;

<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref> is a perspective view of the retractable tether in <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>, when the phone is in use;

<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref> is a perspective view of the retractable tether in <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>, suspending the phone that has been dislodged from the holder or is dropped;

<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref> is a perspective view of the retractable tether in <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>, showing the phones disconnect point with the lanyard;

<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref> is a perspective view of the retractable tether in <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref>, showing a disconnect point separated;

<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref> perspective view of the retractable device in <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>, showing the retractable tether's clip type mounting system;

<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7</figref> is an exploded view of the retractable tether shown in <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>;

<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 8</figref> is a perspective view of a rotating attachment mechanism for a retractable tether according to the present invention; and

<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9</figref> is an exploded view of the attachment mechanism shown in <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 8</figref>.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> shows one embodiment of a new retractable tether <b>10</b> constructed in accordance with the present invention. In the embodiment shown the tether <b>10</b> is mounted to a user's belt <b>12</b> by its mounting system (described below), but other retractable tethers according to the invention can be mounted to other locations on the user. A phone <b>14</b> is shown mounted in its holster <b>16</b>, which is also mounted to the belt <b>12</b> adjacent to the retracting tether <b>10</b>. The tether <b>10</b> can also be used with other devices that are mounted to a user such as pagers, PDAs, Global Positioning Systems, radios, calculators, bull horns, etc.

The retracting tether <b>10</b> has a cable that is fully retracted into the retractor tether housing <b>18</b>. When the phone is in use, the cable extends under a pulling force on the phone. When the force is removed, the cable retracts in to the housing <b>18</b> under a bias from an internal spring. The mechanism for extending and retracting the cable form the tether housing <b>18</b> is known in the art and involves a coil spring and reel arrangement as described below and as generally described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,697,572 to Salentine and Collin, assigned to the same assignee as the present application.

The tether <b>10</b> is relatively thin and has a low profile so it is not bulky or uncomfortable for the user. An attachment lanyard <b>20</b> is connected between the tether <b>10</b> and the phone <b>14</b>. As shown, the tether <b>10</b> is facing upward with the cable and exiting through the top of the housing <b>18</b>. This arrangement is particularly convenient for use with phones because it allows the user to pull the phone from the holster up to the ear as the cable extends from the housing <b>18</b>. By having the tether facing upward the cable can exit straight from the tether housing. This reduces the number of bends experienced by the cable from repeated use, thereby reducing the wear and tear on the cable and extending its life. This arrangement also allows for the cable to be more easily pulled from the housing <b>18</b>.

Different tethers can be arranged at different angles depending on the type of device attached to the tether <b>10</b> and how the device is used. For instance, if a flashlight were attached to a tether <b>10</b>, the cable could be arranged to extend toward the front of the cable user.

Loops <b>20</b><i>a </i>and <b>20</b><i>b </i>are formed at the ends of the lanyard <b>20</b> by known methods, with the loops used for connecting the lanyard between the phone <b>14</b> and retractable tether <b>10</b>. A ring <b>23</b> is attached to the phone <b>14</b> and the loop <b>20</b><i>a </i>mates with the ring <b>23</b> such that the ring <b>23</b> passes through the loop <b>20</b><i>a</i>. At the other end of the lanyard <b>20</b> the loop <b>20</b><i>b </i>mates with a ring <b>25</b> in a disconnect mechanism <b>22</b>, such that the ring <b>25</b> passes through the loop <b>20</b><i>b</i>. The lanyard provides a section of flexible line between phone <b>14</b> and the tether <b>10</b> so that the phone <b>14</b> can be mounted in its holster without cable tension between the phone <b>14</b> and tether <b>10</b>. This allows the phone <b>14</b> or other device, to rest in its holstering or mounting system without pulling on the tether cable (shown in <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref>). This reduces stress on the tether cable and results in the phone <b>14</b> not being pulled from its holster.

The disconnect mechanism <b>22</b> allows for the phone <b>14</b> to be easily disconnected from the tether <b>10</b>. Different disconnect mechanisms can be used the mechanism <b>22</b> being a clip type. Other disconnect mechanisms can be used including, but not limited to, snaps, screws, ties, or Velcro.

<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref> shows the phone <b>14</b> removed from its holster <b>16</b> by the user. The phone <b>14</b> is attached to the attachment lanyard <b>20</b>, and when the phone <b>14</b> is removed from its holster <b>16</b> and pulled away from the retractable tether housing <b>18</b>, the tether cable <b>26</b> is pulled from inside the tether housing <b>18</b>. The lanyard <b>20</b> is attached to the cable <b>26</b> by the disconnect mechanism <b>22</b>, which also functions as a stop to prevent the cable from retracting completely into the housing <b>18</b>. The cable <b>26</b> exits the tether housing <b>18</b> in an upward/outward direction with minimal tension or friction between the cable and the housing <b>18</b>.

<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref> shows the phone <b>14</b> after it has been dislodged from its holster <b>16</b> or after it has been dropped. The tension in the tether's coil spring and the friction between the cable <b>26</b> and the tether housing <b>18</b> are such that the weight of the phone <b>14</b> does not pull the cable <b>26</b> from the tether housing <b>18</b>. The phone <b>14</b> is suspended from the tether housing <b>18</b> by the lanyard <b>20</b> so that the phone <b>14</b> does not fall to the ground where it could be lost or damaged.

<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref> shows the phone <b>14</b> attached to end <b>20</b><i>a </i>of the lanyard <b>20</b>. End <b>20</b><i>b </i>of the lanyard <b>20</b> is connected to the disconnect mechanism <b>22</b>, and the tether cable <b>26</b> is partially extended from the tether housing <b>18</b>. <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref> shows the same components of the tether <b>10</b> connected to a phone <b>14</b>, as shown in <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref>. However, the disconnect mechanism is shown separated into a male clip <b>28</b> and a female receiver <b>30</b> as would be done to remove the phone <b>14</b> from the tether <b>10</b>. The male clip has two tabs <b>29</b><i>a </i>and <b>29</b><i>b </i>that mate with a slot in the receiver <b>30</b>. To reattach the phone <b>14</b>, the mail clip <b>28</b> is inserted into the receiver <b>30</b> and as the clip <b>28</b> moves into the receiver <b>30</b> the tabs <b>29</b><i>a </i>and <b>29</b><i>b </i>are compressed until they pass a receiver lip. The tabs <b>29</b><i>a </i>and <b>29</b><i>b </i>then expand out and the clip <b>28</b> is held in the receiver <b>30</b> by the ledge in the tabs <b>29</b><i>a </i>and <b>29</b><i>b </i>butting against the receiver lip. The clip <b>28</b> can be removed from the receiver <b>30</b> by compressing the tabs <b>29</b><i>a </i>and <b>29</b><i>b </i>so they can slide by the receiver lip. When the clip <b>28</b> and receiver <b>30</b> are separated, the device <b>14</b> is disconnected from the retractable tether <b>10</b>.

<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref> shows one attachment mechanism <b>32</b> for attaching the tether <b>10</b> to a user, with the mechanism <b>32</b> being particularly adapted to attaching to a user's belt. The mechanism <b>32</b> comprises a tension blade <b>34</b> and a retaining tab <b>36</b>. To allow for the tether <b>10</b> to be mounted with the cable <b>26</b> extending up, the tension blade <b>34</b> is connected to a first edge <b>35</b> of the tether housing <b>18</b> adjacent to the disconnect mechanism <b>22</b>. The blade <b>34</b> is directed down toward a second edge <b>37</b> of the housing <b>18</b> that is opposite the disconnect end <b>22</b>. The blade <b>34</b> is shaped such that it is urged against the housing with the blade's lower portion resting against the back surface <b>39</b> of the housing <b>18</b>. When the tether <b>10</b> is mounted to a user's belt, the belt is held between the blade <b>34</b> and the housing <b>18</b>. The blade has a tab <b>36</b> at its lower end that is positioned such that overlaps the second edge <b>37</b> of the user's belt. The tab <b>36</b> extends between the blade <b>34</b> and the second edge to provide a stop that prevents the tether from sliding off the user's belt.

<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7</figref>, shows the internal components of a retractable tether <b>10</b> according to the present invention, although many other tethers can be used which can have different internal components. The tether body <b>18</b> comprises a clam-shell type housing having a bottom half <b>42</b> and a top half <b>43</b> which halves matingly engage with each other to enclose an interior space. The cable <b>26</b> has a free end <b>26</b><i>a </i>and a fixed end <b>26</b><i>b</i>, which is securely fastened to the outer perimeter of a reel <b>45</b>. The reel <b>45</b> is ring shaped and has an annular outer surface <b>45</b><i>a </i>upon which surface the cable <b>26</b> is wound, and an annular inner surface <b>45</b><i>b</i>. The reel's inner surface <b>45</b><i>b </i>has a slat, which receives the outer end <b>47</b><i>a </i>of a coil spring <b>47</b>. The coil spring <b>47</b> has a fixed inner end <b>47</b><i>b </i>non-releasably mounted in a slot in a central pin <b>50</b>, which is affixed to the bottom half <b>42</b> of the case.

When the upper half <b>43</b> and lower half <b>42</b> are joined together to form the housing, the pin <b>50</b> forms a central axis of rotation for the reel <b>45</b> which rolls the cable <b>26</b> upon the reel outer surface <b>45</b><i>a</i>. The upper half <b>43</b> of the housing contains hollow pillars (not shown) which support the lower half <b>42</b> of the case. The lower half <b>42</b> of the case has holes receiving screws for attaching the lower half <b>42</b> of the housing to the upper half <b>43</b>.

Each half of the housing has a semicircular groove <b>52</b> therein. When the case is assembled, the semicircular grooves <b>52</b> in the respective halves form a circular guide hole having a smooth surface for the cable <b>26</b> to slide through.

Each half <b>42</b> and <b>43</b> has a raised annular bearing surface <b>54</b> thereon which supports and stabilizes the reel <b>45</b>, providing a low-friction close fitting surface for the reel <b>45</b> to rotate against permitting low friction rotation of the reel <b>45</b>. A cavity wall <b>56</b> forms a physical barrier around the reel <b>45</b> and coil spring <b>47</b>.

<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 8 and 9</figref> show a second embodiment of an attachment mechanism <b>80</b> according to the present invention for attaching the retactable tether <b>10</b> to a belt, purse or pocket. This embodiment has the additional feature of allowing the tether <b>10</b> to rotate 360 degrees about the attachment mechanism. This type of attachment is particularly adapted for use with cell phones or pagers that may be stored in different locations, such as in a holster on one occasion and in a pocket on another. It also allows for the tether's cable to be extended at different angles to compensate for different body types. For instance, it may be difficult for heavier user's to extend the cable directly up and when the cable is extended directly it can experience additional wear and tear by bending over a user's midsection. The rotation of the mechanism <b>80</b> can make the tether <b>10</b> more comfortable and convenient to use while minimizing wear and tear.

The mechanism <b>80</b> generally includes a base <b>82</b>, a belt tension blade <b>84</b> and a retaining section <b>86</b>. The blade <b>84</b> is disposed such that half of it is sandwiched between the retaining section <b>86</b> and the base <b>82</b> and the other half serves to retain the belt between the blade <b>82</b> and retaining section <b>86</b>. The retaining section is rotatably attached to the base <b>82</b> and the base <b>82</b> is mounted to a retracting tether <b>87</b> at mounting holes <b>88</b>. The belt clip <b>82</b> is particularly adapted to fitting over a belt, but can also be mounted to other location such as a purse or pocket. When mounted to a belt, a portion of the belt is held between the blade <b>84</b> and the retaining section <b>86</b>. The retaining section <b>86</b> has a retaining tab <b>90</b> that mates with a first lower slot <b>92</b> in the blade <b>84</b>. After the belt is disposed between the blade <b>84</b> and the retaining section <b>86</b>, the tab <b>90</b> can be inserted into the first slot <b>92</b> and the tab <b>90</b> can be locked in the first slot <b>92</b> by the tab lip <b>94</b> overlapping the edge of the slot <b>92</b>.

To remove the mounting mechanism <b>80</b> from the belt, the tab <b>90</b> is pushed up toward the bend in the blade <b>84</b> until the tab lip disengages from the slot edge. The tab <b>90</b> can then pass from the slot <b>92</b> to provide an opening through which the belt can pass.

Referring now to <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9</figref>, the base <b>82</b> has a locking post <b>96</b> that is inserted into the retaining section's central hole <b>98</b>. The post <b>96</b> has circumferential tabs <b>100</b> that compress as the post <b>96</b> is inserted into the hole <b>98</b> and expand as the retaining section <b>86</b> reaches its operational position. The tab lips <b>102</b> hold the post <b>96</b> within the hole <b>98</b> while allowing the retaining section <b>86</b> to rotate around the post <b>86</b>. The retaining section <b>86</b> primarily contacts the base <b>82</b> at the circular bearing surface <b>104</b> around the post <b>96</b>. This allows the retaining section <b>96</b> to more smoothly rotate around the base <b>92</b>.

The retaining section <b>86</b> also has a planar tab <b>108</b> that is arranged to mate with a second slot <b>110</b> in the blade <b>84</b>. When the mechanism is assembled, the retaining section <b>86</b> is mounted within the U-shape of the blade <b>84</b>. The post <b>96</b> first passes through the clip hole <b>111</b> before passing into the central hole <b>98</b>. As the pieces of the mounting mechanism are brought together, the planar tab <b>98</b> mates with the second slot <b>100</b> to hold the blade <b>84</b> in proper orientation with the retaining section <b>86</b>. When the mounting mechanism <b>80</b> is assembled, the portion of the clip with hole <b>111</b> and slot <b>110</b> is held between the retaining section <b>86</b> and the base <b>82</b>.

When a retractable tether <b>10</b> with a rotating mounting mechanism <b>80</b> is used with a personal article, the tether <b>10</b> is free to rotate around the rotating mechanism to that the article can be used or stored at many different angles. The tethering system could still include a lanyard to reduce tension on the tether cable. If the article is dropped or jarred from its mount or holster, the tether will rotate to the article's direction of fall. As a result, the rotating tether would not have the braking that is associated with a tether with a fixed mount in the upward direction. However, to assist in preventing the article from falling to the ground, the rotating tether could have a spring with greater tension or could be used with lighter articles.

Although the present invention has been described in considerable detail with reference to certain preferred configurations thereof, other versions are possible. Therefor, the spirit and scope of the invention should not be limited to the embodiments described above.